K.K. KYOKUYO.

The original black funnel base changed after the war. A May 1985 Lyttelton observation of Daishin Maru No. 3 showed a shortened emblem on the funnel band, initially prompting thoughts of a changed flag or old flag stock. Watt later insisted that K57 is the correct flag and the others poor renderings, while K58 is the correct funnel. Photographs were lacking to establish the full spread of the earlier emblem. The design was described in NZMN as a red dragonfly and a modified Ki character, altered to kyo; Watt rejected the dragonfly explanation, which Rosanoski notes conflicts with the article’s language adviser.

Brown’s K63 has a more acute V shape, perhaps affected by funnel size. Rosanoski retains it because it differs substantially from the other renderings. Mitchell’s similar marking for Kyoei Kaiun may reflect Kyokuyo’s management of part of that fleet; the apparent yellow base could represent yellow-orange. That related image remains recorded as K416.

The emblem also appeared on differently coloured chartered funnels, including white on plain grey as K189.